How to Shrink a Leather Jacket

By Maggie Hira

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Over time your favorite leather jacket may have gotten slightly stretched out and enlarged after repeated wearings. You may notice that it doesn't fit as well as it used to. However, you don't have to part with your beloved jacket because the fit has changed. There are a few remedies you can try that will shrink a leather jacket back to its previous size---or at least close to it.

Things You'll Need

Water

Dryer

Dry cleaner

Sewing kit

Step 1

Have it dry cleaned. Dry cleaning is actually not "dry" as the name implies. Instead, chemicals are used to wet the leather jacket, making it become smaller and tighter.

Step 2

Soak the leather jacket in warm water. Make sure to spray the jacket with a water-resistant spray or rub it with some beeswax to prevent the water from staining the leather. After this treatment, you can rest assured that the water will only shrink the jacket, not stain it.

Step 3

Put in the dryer. One spin in the dry cycle will help to shrink the leather jacket. Place the settings at tumble dry low for best results.

Step 4

Have it tailored by a professional leather tailor. This is the best way to permanently shrink your jacket to a few sizes smaller. It will also guarantee that your leather jacket won't become damaged or stained in any way.

Step 5

Take in the seams. You can do this yourself if you have some sewing experience and a sturdy needle. This doesn't actually affect the leather itself, but it involves taking in the seams from the inside of the jacket where it's lined in cloth. You can make the leather jacket at least a size smaller by doing this.

Tip

If you're worried about possibly damaging the leather beyond repair, take it to a leather professional for shrinking and other treatments.